Save Money On European Souvenirs With Rick Steves' Simple Shopping Tip

Whether it be a tiny Eiffel Tower statue as a reminder of a visit to Paris, a kitschy magnet for the fridge, or a handful of postcards to add to that art project from Pinterest, bringing back a piece of your vacations is a form of nostalgia to look back on for years to come. When it comes to souvenirs, prices can add up faster than expected as you ask yourself, "What's a couple more gifts for my friends back home?" Before you blow your budget, travel expert Rick Steves has a smart shopping tip that will help save you money when it comes to purchasing souvenirs on your next trip to Europe.

In a blog post titled "Thrifty 50 Travel Tips," Steves urges travelers that if they want to bring a souvenir home with them from Europe, to do their shopping in countries where costs are considerably lower and where he mentions that "gifts are more interesting and your shopping dollar stretches the farthest." Steves compares the high prices of shopping for souvenirs in Scandinavian countries like Norway to that of the southeastern country of Turkey (Türkiye) in his blog post stating that, "The difference is huge: For the cost of a pewter Viking ship in Oslo, you can buy an actual boat in Turkey."

Regardless of where you decide to travel, there are plenty of souvenirs that tourists should avoid taking home that may seem harmless and free, like scooping up pebbles from beaches in Greece. However, even if you plan on visiting some of the most affordable countries in the world, knowing where to allocate your hard-earned dollars when it comes to souvenir shopping can save you a ton of cash. And with all that saved money, you can have extra euros for that additional pastry later on.

While Rick Steves recommends this money tip to make the most of your European travels, there are plenty of other ways to bring home souvenirs that won't put a dent in your wallet, yet still provide years of memories. As a frequent traveler myself, I've been guilty of buying material souvenirs that I probably shouldn't have. Having visited Norway over a decade ago, I was keen on purchasing a beautiful Norwegian tankard with a pewter lid that I saw in a souvenir shop. It was only until I checked my credit card statement that I realized maybe it wasn't such a great idea after all.

Over the years, I've gravitated towards supporting local artisans, clothing designers, or buying consumables such as spices, teas, and even vanilla pods to take home instead of overpriced mass produced items that can be found in every souvenir shop. Spending your travel dollars on handmade items makes your purchase and travels more intentional by supporting local people. These local artisans often put their hearts and souls into making and producing these items, making them all the more meaningful. It also allows you to buy souvenirs without the added extra cost of import fees.

Allocating your money towards supporting local businesses that sell beautiful souvenirs like handcrafted leather bags, a ceramic water jug, or even a handmade blanket is a great way to bring home memories of your trip. Without blowing your budget on overpriced knickknacks in pricier countries, a visit to less expensive places to buy meaningful souvenirs won't only provide memories and support the local economy, but will be kinder on your wallet as well.